CU & Other College Sports

New offensive line will be on display at Colorado State spring game

Colorado State WR, Rashard Higgins, left, breaks free from Air Force DB, Jared Jones, right, in the third quarter at Hughes Stadium on Nov. 30, 2013. The Rams went on to win 58-13. (Andy Cross, Denver Post file)

FORT COLLINS — Colorado State's revamped offensive line is sure to become a focus of attention Saturday during the 11 a.m. "Green and Gold" spring game at Hughes Stadium.

Only one starter returned from a unit that helped CSU set numerous school records for offense last year. And that lone returnee, senior offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo, had offseason shoulder surgery and will not play Saturday. Sambrailo, a second-team all-Mountain West selection in 2013, was held out of contact drills during the spring. He has served as a mentor of sorts.

"It's been exciting to see them grow and step up into the roles that need to be filled," Sambrailo said. "They know what to do. Now they're getting their chance. I have confidence in all of them. The talent is there."

Jake Bennett (6-foot-3, 265 pounds), a redshirt freshman from Bear Creek in Lakewood, has been working as the first-team center. Senior Mason Myers (6-6, 309) and sophomore Fred Zerblis (6-3, 295) are the top guards, but all three have been interchangeable during the spring.

A junior college transfer, Jordan Finley (6-3, 265), stood out at right tackle until suffering a knee injury that cost him the second half of spring drills. Finley needs surgery on his knee but is expected to be ready for the season. Senior Mason Hathaway (6-5, 294) has subbed for Sambrailo at left tackle, while sophomore Nick Callender (6-5, 315) replaced Finley at right tackle.

Callender, thanks in part to Sambrailo's tutelage, has taken a huge step this spring, CSU coach Jim McElwain said.

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"I said going in, my concern (about the offensive line) was not as big as what a lot of people had," McElwain said. "The thing I like best is they're communicating and trying to find exactly where the parts are going to fit."

McElwain said he has been pleased with the "businesslike, workmanlike" attitude and effort of his team. Senior quarterback Garrett Grayson agreed.

"We were maybe a little rusty in the beginning of the spring," Grayson said. "But everybody has calmed down now, and we're running on all cylinders."

There's added incentive to perform well in the spring game. The winning team is treated to a postgame feast with formal dinnerware on a white table cloth, while the losers are served hot dogs and baked beans on paper plates.

"I like to see the guys standing in line for beanies and weenies," McElwain said with a grin.

Footnote. Saturday's spring game activities begin at 9 a.m. with a free pancake breakfast served on the west concourse of Hughes Stadium. That will be followed by an egg hunt for children. After the game, players will remain on the field for autographs.

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